Emerging markets, with expanding middle classes, dynamic and competitive airline networks and sustained aviation investment, will play an outsized role in global air traffic growth, helping drive a need for 43,600 commercial airplanes over the next 20 years, Boeing [NYSE: BA] projected today.
These markets will represent over 50% of the global commercial fleet in 2044, up from nearly 40% in 2024. Ahead of the Paris Air Show, Boeing released its 2025 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), which also predicts airplane supply will catch up with market demand around the end of the decade, enabling carriers to increasingly renew and grow their fleets.
“Throughout the first quarter of this century, passenger air traffic tripled and the global airplane fleet more than doubled as the commercial aviation industry navigated significant challenges,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “Resilience will remain a hallmark of this growing industry as we continue to see strong demand for new airplanes with commercial aviation returning to its pre-pandemic growth trajectory.”
by Propulsion (Electric/Hybrid, Conventional), System (Aerostructures, Avionics, Cabin Interiors), Technology (Manned, Unmanned), Flight Operation (CTOL, VTOL), Point of Sale End Use, Material
Download free sample pagesCMO forecast highlights through 2044:
Air travel trends:
New deliveries (2025-2044) |
|
Regional Jet |
1,545 |
Single Aisle |
33,285 |
Widebody |
7,815 |
Freighter |
955 |
Total |
43,600 |
Boeing has published the CMO annually since 1961. As the longest-running forecast of its kind, the CMO is regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial aviation industry.